Intense Pulsed Light Combined With Meibomian Gland Massage for Recurrent Corneal Erosion: a Review of Clinical Effectiveness

Purpose: To observe the therapeutic effect on recurrent corneal erosion syndrome (RCES) by intense pulsed light (IPL) combined with meibomian gland massage. Methods: We recruited 30 patients (30 eyes) with RCES as the RCES group and 31 patients (31 eyes) as the control group. Both the groups received eyelash sampling, Demodex count, meibomian gland infrared photography, and the blepharolipin score. The RCES group was divided into the treatment group and the observation group again. Results: Parameters in the RCES group were higher than those in the control group. The parameters of the treatment group were decreased compared with the observation group. During the follow-up period, one patient in the treatment group relapsed. Conclusion: Meibomian gland dysfunction and Demodex infection may be associated with RCES. IPL combined with meibomian gland massage can significantly improve meibomian gland function, reduce the number of Demodex, and effectively control the relapse of RCES.

An experimental study of the wound healing effect of ophthalmic drug films with 6-methyl-3-(thietan-3-yl)uracil and methyluracil

Purpose: to study experimentally the wound-healing effect of ophthalmic drug films (ODF) with 6-methyl-3-(thietan-3-yl) uracil and methyluracil. Material and methods. The study involved 17 Chinchilla rabbits (34 eyes), whose corneas were histomorphologically studied after an experimental chemical acid burn and treatment. ODF with 6-methyl-3-(thietan-3-yl)uracil were deposited in the right eyes of 15 rabbits (15 eyes), and ODF with methyluracil — in the left eyes of these rabbits. Two rabbits served as control: their right eyes were left without wound healing therapy, while the left eyes received dexpanthenol 5 % gel (corneregel) 4 times a day. All animals were monitored daily for 21 days. The morphological changes in the cornea were recorded on the 2nd, 7th, 14th and 21st days after the experimental chemical burn.Results. The course of reparative processes of the chemical burns of the cornea was found to be different depending on the drugs used. Our results show that the ODF with methyluracil led to the resorption of the edema and the turbidity, as well as to a total closure of the desquamation sites of the corneal epithelium on the 7th day. With the ODF containing 6-methyl-3-(thietan-3-yl) uracil, the effect was achieved on the 14th day. In contrast to the control, ODF enhanced the growth and reproduction of cells, rapidly improved the trophism, and stimulated the regeneration process in damaged corneal tissues. ODFs produced no toxic reactions, such as destruction of the collagen framework, maceration, pronounced edema, and hyperemia. On the 21st day of observation, the microscopic picture of rabbit cornea showed the usual normal structure. Conclusion. ODF therapy with methyluracil and 6-methyl-3-(thietan-3-yl)uracil leads to accelerated centripetal epithelialization of corneal erosion, more structured and histologically correct restoration of the epithelial-stromal layer.

Good Visual Acuity Outcome from an Ocular Blast Injury with Proper Management in Dr. Soetomo General Hospital Surabaya, Indonesia

Introduction: Ocular blast injury related to fireworks most often causing corneal erosion (29%), conjunctival erosion (11%), and conjunctival foreign body (10%) with children are more often than adults (65.9%:34.1%), and males far more often than female (71.9%:28.1%). Knowing proper management is very important to achieve the best result. Case presentation: We describe an ocular blast injury that experienced broad erosion and multiple foreign bodies on the corneal and pericorneal surface in the left eye and visual acuity decreased. The foreign body was scattered, and the fluorescein test was positive. We did proper foreign body extraction, irrigation, and ocular bandage. It was treated with chloramphenicol 0.5% eye ointment and homatropine eye drop. In two months, the patient’s left eye had clear cornea with a small scar formation near the visual axis. The visual acuity was 6/7 and BCVA was 6/6 with S-0.5 C-0.5 A 50° correction. Conclusions: Patients with ocular blast injury limited to superficial cornea erosion and and conjunctival erosion have a reasonable probability of achieving the best visual acuity. Foreign body extraction, proper irrigation, and topical medication show promising results. Scar formation near the visual axis can disrupt visual acuity however can be corrected in this case it can be corrected with glasses. Furthermore, public promotion and regulation to control firework using are very important.

Short-term Safety Evaluation of Resident-performed Intravitreal Injection

Purpose: This study evaluated the short-term safety of resident-performed intravitreal injections.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 503 patients (503 eyes) treated for the first time in our hospital from January 2018 to October 2020 via intravitreal bevacizumab, ranibizumab, aflibercept, or triamcinolone acetonide injections by residents or retina specialists. In terms of short-term ophthalmic complications, patients were followed-up 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month after injection.Results: A total of 503 eyes of 503 patients were included. Intravitreal injections were given to 211 and 292 eyes by residents (the resident group) and retina specialists (the retina specialist group), respectively. There were no between-group differences in baseline characteristics except in terms of the indications for injection. Intraocular pressure elevation >5 mmHg occurred in two eyes (0.95%) in the resident group and five (1.71%) in the retina specialist group, but the difference was not statistically significant. Subconjunctival hemorrhage occurred in 29 eyes (13.74%) of the resident group and 32 eyes (10.96%) of the retina specialist group; again, the difference was not statistically significant. No case of noninfectious endophthalmitis occurred in the resident group but two (0.68%) cases occurred in the retina specialist group; again, the difference was not significant. There were two (0.95%) cases of infectious endophthalmitis in the resident group and one (0.34%) case in the retina specialist group; again, the difference was not significant. No corneal erosion, traumatic lens damage, vitreous hemorrhage, or retinal tearing or detachment were noted in either group.Conclusions: Resident-performed intravitreal injections appear to be safe.

Blepharoconjunctivitis as Manifestation of Stevens-Johnson syndrome

Background: Stevens Johnson syndrome (SJS) is a collection of acute and life threatening skin symptoms caused by an allergic drug reaction. SJS also attacks the other mucous membranes, one of which is the eye. SJS is a rare case. The initial complaint of SJS is the eruption on the skin in the form of redness followed by blisters and attacking other mucous membranes. The ocular manifestations of SJS are conjunctivitis, corneal erosion, corneal ulcers, and blepharitis. Methods: Treatment of SJS’s ocular manifestation is administration of drugs and surgical intervention. Administration of drugs that often done in the acute phase is antibiotic eye drops with steroids to prevent complications. Complications that can occur include symblepharon, districhiasis, and keratitis. This complication can cause a sharp decrease in vision. Results: This case report discusses a 68 year old male patient with blisters all over his body accompanied by swelling in both eyes, redness in both eyes, and difficult to open eyes. Patients with history of taking the new drug a month ago. No history of drug allergy. The patient suffered from hypertension, non-hemorrhagic stroke, and epilepsy with irregular treatment. Patient was performed a fluorescein test. In this case, the patient is given antibiotic ointment and artificial tears with steroids. In this case there were no complications. Conclusion: The ocular manifestations of SJS if handled quickly and properly can prevent long-term complications.

Role of artificial tears with and without hyaluronic acid in controlling ocular discomfort following PRK: a randomized clinical trial

AIM: To compare outcomes of applying preservative free artificial tears (PFAT) with and without hyaluronic acid (HA) in early postoperative course following photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). METHODS: In this triple-blinded randomized clinical trial, PRK procedure was performed on both eyes of 230 patients. Following PRK, patients were divided into three groups: the HA+ group, 44 patients PFAT containing HA; the HA- group, 71 patients PFAT without HA were administered 5 times per day (every 4h); the third group, 115 patients received no PFAT before lens removal. On the 1st and 4th postoperative day, Visual Analogue Score (VAS) was utilized to evaluate patient’s level of pain. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire about the severity of eye discomfort ranked from 0 to 10 (0=no complaint; 10=most severe complaint experienced). RESULTS: In eyes receiving PFAT with or without HA (Drop group), mean scores for epiphora, foreign body sensation, and blurred vision on the 1st postoperative day were statistically lower (P<0.05). Filamentous keratitis (FK) was detected in 11 (4.7%) eyes, and recurrent corneal erosion (RCE) was observed in 5 (2.1%) eyes. In the control group, FK was noted in 16 (6.9%) eyes while 13 (5.6%) eyes had RCE and 5 (2.1%) eyes had corneal haze. The rate of complications was statistically lower in Drop group (P=0.009). However, the aforementioned scores were not statically different between HA+ and HA- group one and two (P=0.29). CONCLUSION: Following PRK, applying PFAT with and without HA yields faster visual recovery, decreases postoperative ocular discomfort and haze formation; however there is no additive effect for HA.

Kynurenic Acid Accelerates Healing of Corneal Epithelium In Vitro and In Vivo

Kynurenic acid (KYNA) is an endogenous compound with a multidirectional effect. It possesses antiapoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative properties that may be beneficial in the treatment of corneal injuries. Moreover, KYNA has been used successfully to improve the healing outcome of skin wounds. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of KYNA on corneal and conjunctival cells in vitro and the re-epithelization of corneal erosion in rabbits in vivo. Normal human corneal epithelial cell (10.014 pRSV-T) and conjunctival epithelial cell (HC0597) lines were used. Cellular metabolism, cell viability, transwell migration, and the secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 were determined. In rabbits, after corneal de-epithelization, eye drops containing 0.002% and 1% KYNA were applied five times a day until full recovery. KYNA decreased metabolism but did not affect the proliferation of the corneal epithelium. It decreased both the metabolism and proliferation of conjunctival epithelium. KYNA enhanced the migration of corneal but not conjunctival epithelial cells. KYNA reduced the secretion of IL-1β and IL-6 from the corneal epithelium, leaving IL-10 secretion unaffected. The release of all studied cytokines from the conjunctival epithelium exposed to KYNA was unchanged. KYNA at higher concentration accelerated the healing of the corneal epithelium. These favorable properties of KYNA suggest that KYNA containing topical pharmaceutical products can be used in the treatment of ocular surface diseases.

Ocular Injury Caused by the Bombardier Beetle

We report a case of ocular injury caused by a bombardier beetle in a young boy. Ocular injuries due to this coleoptera have not previously been reported. An 11-year-old boy experienced an eye injury while trying to place a bombardier beetle inside an anthill. The boy was diagnosed with a second-degree burn on the skin of the upper right eyelid and conjunctival and corneal erosion in the right eye. The condition resolved completely after 2 weeks of appropriate treatment. Education about the dangers of playing with insects is crucial to prevent this type of lesions.

Comprehensive Approach to the Management of Patients with Recurrent Corneal Erosions

In the Russian literature, there are only a few works that summarize their own experience in the treatment of recurrent corneal erosion (RCE) in a limited group of patients, which actualizes further research in this direction.Objective: to develop and evaluate the clinical effectiveness of an integrated approach to the management of patients with RCE.Patients and methods. 69 patients (69 eyes) with RCE and a disease duration of at least two years, who were divided into 3 groups according to the frequency of relapses: group 1 (12 people) — episodes of RCE no more than 2–4 times a year; Group 2 (19 people) — RCE episodes no more than once a month; Group 3 (38 people) — RCE episodes more than 2 times a month. All patients were cured by pharmacological support, if conservative therapy was ineffective (1 relapse during treatment within 1 month), phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) was performed with the application of a bandage contact lens and the appointment of pathogenetically-oriented treatment for up to 1 year. The average follow-up period was 28.6 ± 6.1 months.Results and discussion. In group 1, during the entire period of observation, RCE was compensated by the therapy, in the other groups, the effectiveness was lower, which in 41 (59.4 %) cases required the implementation of PTK. There were no relapses of corneal erosion after PTK with subsequent pathogenetically-oriented therapy, including heparin-containing medications in instillation (CHYLOPARIN-KOMOD®) and ointment forms (PARIN-POS®) for 1 year.Conclusion. The high effectiveness of PTK with subsequent pathogenetically-oriented pharmacological support may be the basis for a broader recommendation of this method in patients with RCE and a relapse rate of more than 1 time a month.